Water-level indicator for boilers



P. HQ GENTZEL.

WATER LEVEL INDICATOR FOR BOILERS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 16, I919.

. Patented Feb. 7,

L-THE.

PERRY H. GENTZEL, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

WATER-LEVEL INDICATOR FOR BOILERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 7, 1922.

Application filed October 16, 1919. Serial No. 331,163.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PERRY HOMER GENT- ZEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVater- Level Indicators for Boilers, of which the following is a specification,

The object of my said invention is to provide an improved construction of water level indicators, or guages, for steam boilers, whereby a gauge of such a type is provided which will not be subject to breakage or injury by-ordinary accident, and which will be positive and eflicient in its operation under all conditions. 7

Referring to the accompanying drawing,

which is made a part hereof, and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts.

Figure 1 is a View partly in elevation and partly in section showing a construction of device embodying my said invention, and

Figure 2 an edge elevation thereof.

In said drawings the portions marked A represent the indicator proper; B, the frame on which said indicator is supported; and C, an expansion tube foroperating the indicator mechanism.

The indicator A comprises a casing of appropriate or usual form in which the operating devices are encased and provided with a dial with the indicator marks thereon with which the indicator hand 10 ,co-operates in the performance of the function of device, as will be presently described.

The frame B consists of an appropriate cross-head supported by tie rods 11 from transverse wings 12 on the lower end of tube C. Said rods also pass through perforations in other laterally projecting wings 13 on sail tube positioned intermediately of its en s.

Tube C is preferably of brass, or other metal capable of ready expansion and contraction, and its upper end is loosely seated in an aperture in the crosshead B. Said upper end carries a rod 14 which extends through an appropriate seat provided on the upper face of frame B to within the casing of the indicator A where it is connected by a pivot 15 with an arm 16 as shown. Said lever 16 is pivoted at 17 and its other end is pivotally connected to a link 18 which in turn is pivotally connected to an arm 19, supported on a pivot 20, which has a toothed segment 21 on its other end adapted to engage with a pinion 22 mounted on the arbor 23, carrying the indicator hand 10. A spring 24: is mounted on the arbor 23 with its tension directed to operate the arbor and the indicator hand reversely to the action of the levers when operated by the expansion of tube C. ,Arm 19 is slotted and pivot 20 may be adjusted if desired to vary the movement of segment 21.

The tube C has a connection 25 at its upper end leading to the steam drum (not shown) and its lower end is provided with a 0011-. nection 26 communicating with the lower portion of the boiler. Test valves 27 are positioned at intervals on said tubeC by whichthe level of the water in the boiler may be from time to time tested.

In operation, when the boiler is cold and full of water, tube 0 will be contracted to its shortest length and the indicator hand 10 under the impulse of spring 24 will point as to indicator mark 0. When the boiler is heated and the steam reaches a high temperature therein, tube C will begin to expand and by reason of the connections through the levers, the toothed segment and the pinion on the arbor 23, the indicator hand will be moved around the dial as will be readily understood. As the water falls in the boiler it likewise falls in tube C, the upper portion of the tube containing steam expanding as the water falls, so that the level of the water in the boiler is clearly indicated on the dial by indicator marks 1,

2, 3, 4, etc., and easily observable at all times. Whenever the indications by the instrument are doubted the engineer can readily test the level by means of the test valves or cocks 27, opening one or the other as required, and noting whether or not Water passes therefrom through the discharge openings 28.

By these. means a device of the character described is provided which, while positive and accurate in its action, is permanent in its structure and not liable to breakage or destruction as in the case of glass indicators commonly employed.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A water level indicator for steam boilers, comprising a metal tube, means whereby said tube is attached to the side of the boiler to communicate therewith and with CPI the steam drum indicator mechanism, said tube being rigidly mounted at one end and being free to move at the other end, and being connected at its movable end to the indicator mechanism by means which operates said indicator mechanism through the expansion and contraction of the tube, sub stantially as set forth.

2. A water level indicator for steam boilers, comprising a tube of expansible and contractible material, means for connecting said tube with the lower part of the boiler, means for connecting said tube with the steam drum, indicator mechanism mounted adjacent to said tube, and means for operating said indicator mechanism connected with said tube, whereby its operation is effected by the expansion thereof, substantially as set forth. 7

3. A water level indicator for steam boilers comprising a tube connected to communicate with the lower part of the boiler,

means connecting the upper part of said tube with the steam drum, a frame mounted on said tube with a cross head loosely engaging the up er end thereof, an indicator casing mounte on said cross head, indicator tractible tube, a connection between the lower end of said-tube and the lower part of the boiler, a frame mounted on said tube with a cross head mounted in fixed position and loosely engaging its upper end, an indicator casing supported on: said cross head,

indicator mechanism in said casing, and a connection running from the upper end of said tube connected with said. indicator mechanism, whereby the expansionand con traction of the tube effects the operation of said indicator mechanism, set forth.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Boston, Massachusetts, this 2nd day of September, A. D. nineteen hundred and nineteen.

PERRY H. GENTZEL. [Ls] Witness:

E. W. BRADFORD.

substantially as 

